Tracheal tube



May 13, 1969 H. oEHMlG TRACHEAL TUBE Filed June 2, 196e INVENT OR Heinzehm'g BY v 6MATTORN im. ci. Asim 25/00 ILS. Cl. 12S-351 2 ClaimsABSTRACT F THE DlCLOSURE A tracheal tube is composed of an outer rigidcurved tapered tube having a straight outer end piece, and an innerflexible tube joined to a sleeve which extends into the end piece of theouter tube. This permits the placing of the tube in a windpipe withoutdiscomfort.

This invention relates to a tracheal tube adapted to be inserted in theupper portion of the windpipe in the throat in order to by-pass thelarynx and permit easy unobstructed breathing. These tubes ordinarilyare composed of a tube curved in a ninety degree arc and having a thininner end adapted to enter the windpipe and a thicker outer end leadingto the atmosphere. The outer end of the tube is provided with a -flan-geforming a shield or plate `which is a metal surface through which theactual tube passes. These tracheal tubes can contain a second tube alsobent in a ninety degree arc and which is relatively tightly iitted inthe outer tube. The inner tube is removed from time to time so it can becleaned of the secretions, mucus or the like which tend to collect atthe inner end of the tube. This is absolutely necessary since otherwisethe interior of the tube would be constricted by the depositedsecretions, mucus or the like. To facilitate the removing of the innertube from the outer tube, both tubes are in the shape of ninety degreearcs. After being removed, the inner tube can be cleaned by swinging orshaking it and then being replaced.

These tubes have the disadvantage that the end of the tube projectingoutwardly from the throat is, in many cases, so short that it isdiflicult to handle. The inner tube cannot have a straight pieceprojecting from the throat because the removal of the curved inner turbewould then be impossible. Tubes having varied radii of curvature andinner diameters have been suggested but do not remove the disadvantagesbecause the distance from the windpipe to the surface of the skin of thethroat varies with different persons.

The object of this invention is to avoid the disadvantages of theheretofore known tracheal tubes and to produce a tracheal tube which inall cases projects a suitable length from the throat in order tofacilitate its handling. In this invention, the tracheal tube is bentinto a ninety degree arc. The outer tube of lthis invention does nothave a uniform radius of curvature or a uniform cross-sectional areaalong its entire length. The inner tube to be placed in the outer tubeis a flexible metal spiral which slides in the outer tube and isprovided with a sleeve at its outer end so that it can be connected tothe outer tube. This has the advantage that the inner tube can be easilyremoved from the outer tube in order nited States Patent O Patented May13, 1969 to be cleaned. Because the inner tube is a flexible spiral, itcan easily adapt itself to the variation of curvature of the outer tube.The inner tube can be easily cleaned since the secretions which collectbetween the spiral can be rather simply removed.

In a simple form of construction according to this invention, the outertube has a ninety degree bend and terminates in a straight piece. Thisstraight piece enables the correct placing of the tracheal tube in thewindpipe without tilting or canting and without producing points ofdiscomfort and pressure. Furthermore, the distance from the surface ofthe skin to the axis of the windpipe is bridged by the straight piece oftube. This improves the handling qualities of the tube.

The means by which the objects of the invention are obtained aredescribed more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing which isa schematic cross-sec tional view through the tracheal tube on anexaggerated scale.

The outer metal tube 1 is bent into a ninety degree arc and terminatesin a straight piece 2 having a length of from about 10 to 20` mm. Theouter tube is made, for example, of silver. Preferably the tube has anonuniform radius of curvature and a cross-sectional area whichincreases from the end 3 to the juncture 4 of the curved portion withthe straight piece.

The outer end 5 of straight piece 2 has a flange 6 forming a shield orplate and to which is pivotally fastened a latch lever 7.

The inner tube 8 which is inserted in the outer tube 1 is composed of aflexible non-corroding spiral and therefore ts any radius or curvatureof the outer tube 1. The rexible tube 8 is connected to a sleeve 9 whichhas a small flange 10 and a stub end 11. Flange 10 is locked in place bythe latch lever 7 when the tube is being used.

The non-corroding metal spiral 8 can be replaced by a different kind offlexible tube made of rubber or a synthetic material.

Having now described the means by which the objects of the invention areobtained, I claim:

l. A tracheal tube comprising a rigid outer tube bent in anapproximately ninety degree arc with a non-uniform radius of curvatureand terminating in a straight piece adapted to extend through the skinto the axis of a windpipe, a flexible spiral wound inner tube removablyinserted into the curved outer tube, and a straight sleeve joined tosaid inner tube and inserted into the straight piece on said outer tube.

2. A tracheal tube as in claim 1, further comprising a ilange on the endof said straight piece on said outer tube, and latch means mounted onsaid ange for fastening said inner tube to said outer tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS' 1,835,757 12/1931 Burchett12S-351 2,873,742 2/1959 Sheldon 128-351 2,923,299 2.-/1960` Blackwood128-351 3,066,674 12/ 1962 Capra 12S-351 3,088L466 5/ 1963 Nichols128-351 CHARLES F. ROSENBAUM, Primary Examiner.

